Weld Gas Shielding Optimizer
Get a recommended starting point for your shielding gas flow rate in MIG (GMAW) welding to ensure a stable arc and prevent weld porosity.
Welding Setup
Select the conditions of your welding job to get a flow rate recommendation.
The Invisible Shield: Why Gas Flow is Critical
In MIG (GMAW) welding, the shielding gas (like Argon, CO2, or a mix) plays a crucial role. It forms a protective barrier around the molten weld pool, pushing away atmospheric gases like oxygen and nitrogen. Without this shield, these gases would react with the molten metal, creating a weak and porous weld full of tiny bubbles, a defect known as porosity. However, more is not always better.
Finding the "Goldilocks Zone"
- Too Little Gas: Results in inadequate shielding, leading to porosity and an unstable, sputtering arc.
- Too Much Gas: Wastes expensive gas and can create turbulence around the weld pool. This turbulence can actually pull in air from the surrounding atmosphere, paradoxically causing the very porosity you're trying to prevent.
This tool provides a calculated starting point to help you find the "just right" flow rate for your specific application.